O3b and Glocall to provide ultra-high speed connectivity to Somalia

O3b’s coverage area includes emerging and insufficiently connected markets in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific region, with a collective population of over 3 billion people.

St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands – O3b Networks today announced a major long-term capacity deal to provide high-speed, low-latency capacity to Glocall Telecoms LLC, one of the leading service providers in the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Glocall invests in, builds and manages voice and data networks in emerging markets, leveraging in country licenses and partnerships, to deliver quality broadband & voice products. Through its subsidiary Sahal Telecoms Somalia, a National Telecommunications Licence holder in the Somali Republic, it provides high speed broadband access solutions, utilizing next generation Wimax, and Super Wifi technologies, with a migration path to 4G LTE expected in Q3 2014.

With a key focus on enabling immediate high speed broadband access solutions to businesses and consumers alike, coupled with a migration path to 4G LTE, Sahal Telecoms Somalia seeks to satisfy customer demands of rich media and social experiences as dictated by global trends. A viable, cost effective solution was sought which would allow for rapid deployment in the bandwidth starved nation which, until recently, has experienced a period of relative calm after years of strife.

O3b launched its first four satellites in June. It is preparing for the launch of the second set in a second launch in late September, ahead of its commercial service launch later in the year. O3b will transform communications by deploying a unique, next generation satellite constellation. O3b offers ISPs, mobile operators, businesses and government customers high quality, ultra-fast and affordable connection to the global internet backbone, connectivity which is better, faster and more affordable.

The O3b network will deliver broadband connectivity everywhere on Earth within 45 degrees of latitude north and south of the equator. O3b’s coverage area includes emerging and insufficiently connected markets in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific region, with a collective population of over 3 billion people.

Mobeen Bhamjee, CEO of Glocall Telecoms LLC, said:

"The O3b Networks medium orbit, low latency, fiber replacement solution has been selected to enable the bandwidth starved region to catapult into a new era of growth and development after years of hardship and devastation. With the lack of immediate fiber options in the Somali Republic, in particular the capital Mogadishu, alternative geostationary satellite solutions were found to be inherently too costly or inefficient to meet the demands of global trends of rich media content and social applications, including delivery of viable voice and cloud based services.

O3B Networks unique value proposition of a low latency, cost effective, fiber over satellite solution, with sub 130ms round trip latency, provides leverage in terms of cost and operational efficiency, allowing for rapid deployment of next generation services, at prices comparable to entry level fiber in regions with limited access to international bandwidth.

We are excited to work with O3b in their momentous achievement of launching a viable solution for the developing world. This technology will have a massive impact on the lives of ordinary people for whom digital connectivity was previously either unavailable or unaffordable, allowing them the opportunity to access the global village and the benefits that come with it.“

Omar Trujillo, Regional VP Africa and LATAM, O3b said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with Glocall in Somalia. Africa, with more than one billion people, is a key market for O3b and Somalia is a good example of the potential it contains. Glocall is an experienced operator with a clear market roll out plan. Together we can bring a crucial data infrastructure to the previously under-served Federal Republic of Somalia.”

O3b Networks Limited (www.o3bnetworks.com) is a global satellite service provider building a next-generation satellite network for telecommunications operators, Internet service providers, enterprise and government customers in emerging markets. The O3b system will combine the global reach of satellite with the speed of a fiber‐optic network providing billions of consumers and businesses in nearly 180 countries with low‐cost, high‐speed, low latency Internet and mobile connectivity. O3b Networks’ investors include SES, Google, Liberty Global, HSBC Principal Investments, Northbridge Venture Partners, Allen & Company, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Sofina, Satya Capital and Luxempart. O3b Networks is headquartered in St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands.

About Glocall

Founded in 2007, Glocall Telecoms (www.glocall.net) has grown from a localized solution provider, developing business and consumer telecommunication solutions in the USA and South Africa, to a global voice, data and carrier solutions provider, with a core focus on Africa and emerging markets, building Next Generation Voice and Data networks in under-serviced regions.

With operations in the USA, South Africa and subsidiaries in East and West Africa, including Guinea (Conakry), Liberia, Gambia, Senegal, and Somalia, Glocall Telecoms seeks to position itself as an enabler of Next Generation ICT and Telecommunication products and solutions to local carriers, governments, businesses and consumers in these communities.